6:1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves 1 must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent 2 the name of God and Christian teaching 3 from being discredited. 4 6:2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect 5 because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved. 6
Teach them and exhort them about these things. 7 6:3 If someone spreads false teachings 8 and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness, 6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions, 6:5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness 9 is a way of making a profit. 6:6 Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.
1 tn Traditionally, “servants.” Though δοῦλος (doulos) is normally translated “servant,” the word does not bear the connotation of a free individual serving another. BDAG notes that “‘servant’ for ‘slave’ is largely confined to Biblical transl. and early American times…in normal usage at the present time the two words are carefully distinguished” (BDAG 260 s.v.). The most accurate translation is “bondservant” (sometimes found in the ASV for δοῦλος), in that it often indicates one who sells himself into slavery to another. But as this is archaic, few today understand its force.
2 tn Grk “that the name…may not be slandered” (a continuation of the preceding sentence).
3 tn Grk “the teaching.”
4 tn Or “slandered.”
5 tn Or “think the less of them”; Grk “despise them,” “look down on them.”
6 tn Or “those who devote themselves to service are faithful and dearly loved” (referring to slaves who serve them).
7 tn Grk “these things teach and exhort.”
8 tn Grk “teaches other doctrines,” (different from apostolic teaching, cf. 1 Tim 1:3).
9 tc Although most witnesses, including some early versions and fathers (D2 Ψ Ï sy Cyp Lcf Ambst), have ἀφίστασο ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων (afistaso apo’ twn toioutwn, “stay away from such things!”) after εὐσεβείαν (eusebeian, “godliness”; thus, “who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit; stay away from such things!”), there seems to be little good reason for this clause’s omission in some of the oldest and best witnesses (א A D* F G 048 6 33 81 1175 1739 1881 lat co). It is likely that it crept into the text early, perhaps as a marginal comment, but it should not be considered authentic in light of the strong external evidence against it.